What to keep in mind if you are hiring representation to file your immigration matter.
Here’s the reality: you don’t need representation to complete a Canadian immigration process. Don’t get us wrong, having representation comes with its benefits, and in more complex matters, we would urge you to seek help. But here’s the thing, choosing representation, is just that, it’s a choice. It’s important you make the right choice, but it’s equally important to feel good about it. Keep in mind, you could be working with this person and company for the next year so if you’re having doubts, move along until you are comfortable.
With this in mind, if you’re out there trying to narrow down representation, we’ve got a list of things to keep in mind:
You’re buying a service, and there’s going to be an expectation of what you should get for the price. Make sure you know what your responsibilities are and what your representative will be handling. No immigration company will have the same fee structure, and while some lawyers or consultants will do better quality work than others, there is such a fee that is considered too high. Which leads us to our next point...
Higher retainer fees do not mean better quality work- seriously! Too often, people are taken advantage of because they really need help. You can find fair retainer fees and excellent legal work, but you need to do some research.
We look at our retainer fees in terms of if they are fair. Is the cost reasonable for the amount of time that will go into preparing the application and for the time spent advising a client once the application is in process? As a client, you may not know how much time an application will take, and that’s okay, but speak to multiple companies to get a sense of what the market standard is and go from there.
Read your retainer agreement, even the fine print. Retainer agreements are there for a reason, and they help set the stage for what will be done and how your fees will be allocated. Understand what you are signing and what happens if you cancel your agreement. There are always penalties associated with any cancellation, no matter what the reason is.
Always check the representative you are working with is licensed and in good standing. You can do this through the following links:
Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council
Final thought, hiring representation should feel good; this is an exciting and very important decision in your life. Find a representative who understands this. Take the time to speak with your representative, ask questions, ask for clarification if you don’t understand and most of all, don’t get pressured into signing a retainer if you are not 100 percent confident it’s the right decision.
Good luck!